, 1887-01-12
To the Editor of tho "8t. Cr0ir AUis.".
INnn1, Cir
Dear Sir,

Long Point to catch the genial face OF your
old correspondent observer" Ever and
anon my eye wandered to the Grand Stand
where | thought | might spot the turbaned
cap and the field glasses, but look where l
would | failed to see him.
Then the thought struck me that possibly
I might find him in his carriage partak-
ing of the good things of which he is 80
fond, and | would ask him to join me at
the bar, in a glass OfiCed water, yitha "stick"
In it lit he hadn't adopted ~teetOtal princi-
ples) as IL wash down, and to exchange mu-
tual greetings both for the New Year and
for "Auld Lang Syne." Happy thought!
Acting upon it, [ made my way
through the crowd, and with Argus eyes
looked in all directions only to be disap.
pointed, so l took q "wee drop" with an.
other friend. After a while B--met me,
who remarking that "Observer' had not
yet come (abOut 1880 and possibly
would not, asked me to take notes and give
you some account Of. the races. / was UNI
prepared, as | had neither pencil nor paper;
but a friend happened to be near who read
lily handed me q Farber's No. 2 and a half
sheet of d~elicately scented note paper torn
evidently from a tender missiye from his
fair inamorata, as his cheeks were suffus-
ed with bushes when / coughed.
AS many of your readers'were likely not
present and would perhaps be gratif'
ed to read something about the races, /
beg to hand you this sketch for pu utilization
if you have not already received commune
cations, from other sources, and / hope
to be excused for any imperfectiOns, not
having given the matter quite the atten.
ton of a regular reporter,
! will therefore now proceed. The clouds
which gathered now and again III The morn
ing suggested clOaks and umbrellas, but
at about 8 they dispersed and the day
+, proved lovely,
Old ~Baalbec" was again this time plac-
ed at my disposal and another friend lent
me aphRtOn, so "hitching him up, as our
American friends say, my better half and
4'joined the glad throng, that went mer-
rily along" to enjoy the fun at the races.
The old nag did very well, considering
his age and intirmities. performing his time
in IS minutes by my Waterbury.
The public roads were of course fair, and
those which led to the course were i'll bet
Ter condition than in times past, thanks to
Mr.. Skeoch, the owner of Long Point, who
l understand was interchangeable in his eff
forts to improve them.
On, on they came, some on horseback,
others dr~ivingin Eshaises" and many footing
it like "crazies." The c~ouveyances which
attracted much attention from their con-
spicuousness were 3 vans, one conveying
the officers from II. NJ. frigate Jylt0md
together with some ladies, another the
Baud of Musicians from the said ship, this
was gaily decorated on one side with mini
allure flags representing the glorious Dan.
ni0rOg, and on the other side the beautiful
''stars and Stripes" the third served to
convey passengers at a very cheap rate,
these two latter having been the thought.
full arrangement of a prominent gentlemanO of
our community, to whom thanks are due. The
frstone mentioned ~belongedt to the Military.
Before and after the races the band played
lively pieces, much to the qualification OF
the ladies and gentlemen in the Stapd and
to outsiders. At about II. the blowing
of the shell announced chat the races were
about to begin, and a few minutes after
the following contestants for the st. Crolx
Cup were led out:
''Dick" "Gipsy" "Blue Pigeon" and
<'Jimmy." The bell ringing shortly after
and after getting them into position they
we're prepared for the start. which was eff
fected at 12.s "Gipsy" led, closely tOlloV'